Robert Plowden was an English Jesuit priest, a firm supporter of Bishop John Milner

John Milner (bishop)

John Milner was an English Roman Catholic bishop and writer who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District from 1803 to 1826.-Early life:...

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Life

He entered the Society of Jesus in 1756, and was ordained in 1763. After some years spent at Hoogstraet in Belgium, as director of Carmelite nuns, he returned to England, and was stationed at Arlington, Devon

Arlington, Devon

Arlington is a village and civil parish in the North Devon district of Devon in England. The parish includes the villages of Arlington and Arlington Beccott...

, from 1777 to 1787.

Appointed to Bristol

Bristol

Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...

, his exertions resulted in the erection of St. Joseph's Church, together with a parochial residence and schools. His activity extended to the mission of Swansea and South Wales District, of which he may be considered a principal founder.

Removed from Bristol in 1815, he became chaplain to the Fitzherbert family at Swynnerton

Swynnerton

Swynnerton is a village in Staffordshire, England.St Mary's Church dates back to at least the 13th Century. Swynnerton received its charter from Edward I in 1306. During the 14th Century a market used to be held every Wednesday and an annual fair was held on August 15 each year...

 until 1820, when he retired to Wappenbury, where he died. He was a keen theologian, "a more solid divine than his brother Charles", according to Bishop Carroll.

Works

He translated from the French: "The Elevation of the Soul to God", which passed through several editions in England; American editions, Philadelphia, 1817, and New York, 1852.